Name: Richard H. Fortner, 58, of Celebration, FL formerly of Hillendale passed away peacefully Sunday, March 11, 2012 at his son Ross’ home in Easton surrounded by family and friends.
Born: September 11, 1953 in Easton he was a son of Jeanne Fortner Gumm of Upper Mt. Bethel Twp. and the late Reuben Fortner.
Personal: A graduate of Easton High School, he had been self-employed as an hydraulics consultant to the steel industry for many years.
Survivors: His mother; his wife of 31 years: the former Cheryl Mendall; 2 sons: Kiel of Easton; Ross and his wife Kelly of Easton; a brother: Tim of Lower Mt. Bethel Twp., PA and a sister: Kim Bowers of Walnutport, PA.
Services: A Celebration of His Life will be held 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 14th at the Fortner River House: 2971 Hutchison River Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Following a brief ceremony of mixing his ashes with cement to create an anchor for the property, everyone is invited to stay for an epic party in his honor. (Please bring a side dish and be sure to dress casual.)
A Celebration of His Life was also held in Celebration, Florida.
Arrangements: Ashton Funeral Home, Easton.
Memorials: May be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
erin and james card
March 11, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Condolences and prayers to Ross,Kelly and the Fortner family. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May your dad be at peace.
Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Bob
March 12, 2012 at 8:54 am
We’ll miss you. Gone but never forgotten.
All Our Love, Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Bob
Lyn (Lowry) Nicholson
March 12, 2012 at 9:45 am
So sorry to hear of Ricky’s passing. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Fortner family. Have known Ricky since we were kids in Hillendale. Such a nice, fun guy. He will be remembered fondly with a smile.
Jim and Lyn Nicholson
Keith Metz
March 12, 2012 at 10:06 am
Rick, RIP, Words can not express the kind of man he was, but it is all I have to offer. A pillar among others in the industry we worked in, a gentleman, a truly happy man, he knew what a wonderful family he had, and also had a technical gift second to none. When I hired Rick at Rexroth it was obvious he had what it took, in no time he was on the job, doing what he loved to do, always having a smile on his face, even when the chips were down. In a life time one only meets a few people like Rick, I am glad to say I did, and will remember him the rest of my days.
Carol (Scerbo) Fisher
March 12, 2012 at 10:11 am
To all of Rick’s family. My deepest condolences. Rick and I were friends quite a few years ago. It was only last year that we reconnected through Facebook and planned on getting together but never did. I have many fond memories of days spent at the Fortner home in Hillendale with friends and family.
Carol (Scerbo) Fisher
Marge and Don Markley
March 12, 2012 at 10:43 am
We are shocked to learn of Rick’s passing. Although we have not seen them for a few years, Rick and Cheryl were good friends and neighbors. Rick always had a smile on his face and would do anything for his friends and church members.
Our condolences to Cheryl , Kiel and Ross.
Tony Bauer
March 12, 2012 at 11:41 am
Kiel, sorry to read about your father’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Stephen Kauth
March 12, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Cheryl , Ross , Kiel and the entire Mendall family – my sincere condolence, I am sorry to hear of Rick’s passing; just a great man, a good friend , will miss him along the river and always.. I am sorry for your loss.
Kathy Lansenderfer
March 12, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Cheryl, Kiel, Ross & Family,
Working with Rick at Rexroth service was a pleasure; we all remember him as the jokster, (he could tell a joke and keep a straight face (never knew when to believe him). He always had a smile, a kind word and was tolerent with everyone— and he knew his hydraulics! I send my sympathy and know I am thinking of you during this sad time.
Fondly,
Kathy Lansenderfer
Larry Tucker
March 12, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Mark & Lynn Volk
March 12, 2012 at 9:54 pm
RIP my friend. While we have lost your physical presence, you remain in all of our hearts and minds. You set the standard for living life, loving family and friends, and setting an example of strength and courage. I feel blessed to have been able to reconnect with you over these past few years – and even more so to have been able to spend some time with you last Friday. I will never forget that time – and your courage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Cheryl, Ross, Kiel, Jeanne and all of the Fortner family.
Respectfully,
Mark & Lynn Volk
Gary R Kauth
March 13, 2012 at 6:40 am
We lost a true friend and neighbor today. I never saw you without a smile or a kind word, it was always a pleasure to talk with you and to hear you laugh, there were too many good times to recall.
Some where above us there is a good time being had, and that laughter is heard.
Rest friend, we all will miss you.
Respectfully,
Gary Kauth and family
Mel Maynard
March 13, 2012 at 9:14 am
As I read the words others wrote, It brought back a flood of memories Rick and I shared while working at Ingersol-Rand and Rexroth. It all started, when in the freezing cold, Rick painted bright yellow words on a turtle frozen in the ice. “You think this turtle is slow! you shoud see Mel” Well, it was much more than that as we spent countless hours traveling and working together. A true work companion and friend. Rick was very upbeat all the time. He shared his joy of being married to you Cheryl, and of your children. Our memories are now to support and sustain. My prayers are with all.
In HIS Love
Mel Maynard
Ann Marie Serfass
March 13, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Cheryl, Kiel, Ross and family,
I was stunned to hear of Rick’s passing. Truly a good man who will be missed. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of your family all the many years of “hanging out” with Ross and Kiel and grateful for the friendship of each of you. Rick was always a happy man with a great outlook and yes always with a smile on his face and kindness in what he said. My heart is sad with you and I send you much peace.
My love to each of you- Ann Marie ( “Am Ree” )
David and Lisa
March 13, 2012 at 3:04 pm
We have lost a very special person. Never did we see you without a smile. We will always remember you, could never forget with all great memories we have. No words can describe the great person you were. Our thoughts and prayers to Cheryl, Keil, Ross, Kelly and the whole family. Use your memories to get you through this hard time, God knows you have so many great ones. xo
Shirley and Denise DeLong
March 13, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Rick Fortner’s body has stopped working but his joyful and caring spirit lives on.
We know that the world has been a better place because Rick has shared his
wonderful life with us.
He is one who was always there when you needed a friend or just a few kind words to help you make it through a hard day. Always happy. Always smiling.
We will miss your presence but we will have your spirit in our hearts forever.
Thank You, God for Rick
Jim Tatasciore
March 13, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Rick was a buddy from Bloomsburg. I remember how he almost always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude about life. Just thinking of the times we had Bloom makes me smile. He will be missed I’m sure by his family and close friends. He was fun to be with and now he gets his reward, albeit too soon for us.
Rock on Rick!
Tat
Jeffrey Boerner
March 14, 2012 at 8:32 am
Rick was a great friend. Even though we lost touch there was a special bond that could never be broken. I know he felt it as well. His laughter and daring made me always treasure the memories of the times we spent together.
I still have those memories, so, Rick, you are alive and well as far as I am concerned. Although I know I will never see you again in the flesh, all I have to do is close my eyes and you will be standing right in front of me, tall lanky, and laughing.
Wherever you are, stay clear of the sucker punch.
Jeff Boerner
George Brown
March 14, 2012 at 10:08 am
My sincere condolences. It was many years since I saw Rick. His grandmother and mine were best friends. I remember he was a lot of fun and was kind to me.
George Brown
Stef
March 14, 2012 at 10:52 am
Bye, Papa Fortner! You treated me like family the second I met you, and even though I didn’t get to visit as often as anyone would have liked, you always welcomed me like I’d never been away. My time on the river with you and the family are some of my favorite memories, and it just won’t be the same without you. You’ll be missed so much.
Tim and Hope DeLong
March 14, 2012 at 11:38 am
We are so very blessed to have Rick in our lives. You reached out to us and embraced us in our time of need and brought us so much comfort and strength.
Tim and I will always love you,Cheryl and the entire family with all of hearts.
God has most definitley brought another wonderful angel home to rest.
All of our love,
Hope and Tim
John & Kim Shriver
March 14, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Cheryl, Kiel & Ross,
John & I were deeply saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and may you remember all the wonderful years with your husband and father.
John & Kim Shriver
Pat & Barney
March 14, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Dear Cheryl,
We are so very sad for you and your family. It is unimaginable to think of your sorrow. Our thoughts are with you.
Much love,
Barney & Pat
Georgia (Brown) Suranofsky
March 14, 2012 at 8:46 pm
My heartful sympathy to the family. I had not seen him for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
My grandmother, Romaine and his grandmother were the best of friends.
David F. Saul
March 15, 2012 at 11:38 am
Dear Cheryl and Family,
I was saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. I worked with him since 1999 when I started with Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point. He was one of the good guys! Always there to help and encourage. He will be missed by all. I pray you find peace in this time of sorrow.
David
George M. Galla
March 15, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Rick,
You are a thread in the woven pattern of my life. I will remember you always especially those Bloomsburg days and the infamous canoe trip down the Delaware River. I always looked up to you mainly because you where so much taller than me. You are one of the originals from the old Bloomsburg gang. A smile comes to my face when I think of you. My condolences to Cheryl, Kiel and Ross.
Geoff Mells
March 16, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing, for over 20 years Rick has been my good ally and colleague, a person you could trust and rely on, a true friend. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known him.
We send our sympathy and condolences and pray for you all at this time.
Sue and Geoff Mells